NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SPECIAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIP



NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SPECIAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIP

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

University internship programs provide opportunities for credential candidates to assume the responsibilities of full time teachers while they concurrently pursue their professional studies on an Internship Credential. The coordination of an internship program includes the University, participating school districts and agencies and the exclusive representative of employees who hold the credential (teacher union). The NU approved Special Education university internship program is on file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

□ How do I qualify for the Internship Credential?

Possession of a baccalaureate degree.

Subject matter competence verified by exam (MSAT or SSAT or CSET).

Completion of an U.S. Constitution course or exam.

Passage of CBEST.

Completion of pre-service coursework EXC 602A and EXC 604.

□ What are the requirements for enrolling in the NU Internship program?

Full time employment in a school district or county office of education formally affiliated as participating in the NU Internship Program.

Completion of admissions application.

Formal recommendation to CCTC by NU for school district with signed agreement authorizing the placement of an intern.

Qualify for the Internship Credential. (See above)

During EXC 602A the Level I credential packet is completed. Contents from the Level I packet will be used to complete the Internship credential packet.

Interns must complete EXC 655I Induction Seminar as soon as possible after becoming an intern.

□ Will students in the Internship program be allowed to complete some of the

coursework online?

Yes, many of the credential courses are available online.

□ How long is the NU Internship Program?

The NU Internship program can be completed in two calendar years. Interns may complete the program earlier, before the two-year time limit has expired.

Refer to the course sequence / advisement sheet which includes course numbers, titles, and credit units.

□ Will the process of applying for financial aid be different for the internship

program?

No, application procedures for student financial aid for those enrolled in the

Internship program will be the same as outlined in the university catalog and Financial Aid Newsletter. Interns are now eligible for APLE and Cal T grants under new legislation.

□ Does it matter how much credential coursework has already been completed while on an Emergency Permit or Pre-Intern Certificate?

Even if a student has completed a portion of the teacher preparation program, they may enter the Internship when they have passed the subject matter exam (MSAT, SSAT, CSET), met the US constitution requirement, and completed EXC 602A and EXC 604. See the credential advisor for further requirements and the C-19 Intern Qualified Notice which you must get signed by your district.

Subject Matter competence must be verified before a student can be

recommended for the Internship Credential.

Note: If students choose to become an Intern after they have finished all of the required course work, they must receive support in their classroom from the Intern Support Provider a minimum of 4 months prior to beginning the supervised portion of the credential program.

□ Can a student go directly from an Emergency Permit into an Internship Program, without having been in a Pre-Intern program?

The Internship is intended for those who have not started or have just begun a teacher preparation program. However, the state allows emergency permit teachers to enroll in a University Internship as soon as candidates have met the basic qualifications noted above, including subject matter competence. Students who have completed all teacher education coursework but have been unable to pass the subject matter examination will be advised to enroll in exam prep courses or undergraduate subject matter courses.

If teachers are now employed by a district or agency that has signed an Internship Contract agreement with National University, and they have met the prerequisites, they can become an intern. Students must work closely with a Credential Analyst in order to complete the application process including signing up for the official University Internship Credential at the CCTC website.

□ Can the sequence of courses be changed?

The NU Internship programs was designed and approved by the state in a particular order to meet the needs of inters serving as teachers of record in their own classroom. Special consideration will be given to students currently in the program transferring courses completed while on an emergency permit to the Internship.

□ How long is an Internship Credential valid? Can it be renewed? What service in the public schools is authorized by an Internship Credential?

A University Internship Credential is issued initially by the CCTC for two years and may be renewed by the commission, if needed on a case by case basis. The second internship credential authorizes the same service at the same levels as the and in the same time period as the first one.

□ Where is the NU Internship Program available? Is it in all regions / centers?

The Internship program is only available in areas where formal agreements exist with school districts and/or county offices of education. See faculty member or credential analyst for specific locations.

□ Do Interns receive on site support while they are teaching?

Interns will be assigned an Intern Support Provider (ISP) by the school district. The ISP will provide assistance and support with a variety of classroom and teaching responsibilities. The ISP is a mentor teacher, who is NOT involved in any kind of evaluation of the Intern’s teaching performance. ISP’s may observe in the Intern’s classroom, help with the preparation of IEP’s, assist with behavior management and curriculum issues, etc. ISP’s also maintain communication and contact with National University faculty overseeing the regional Internship program.

Interns may also be required to attend professional development experiences provided by the school district, in addition to attending courses through National University.

□ Are interns required to complete student teaching?

Yes, but interns DO NOT register for the student teaching courses (EXC 685A and EXC 685B, or EXC 690A and EXC 690B). Interns must complete an application for the “supervised teaching” phase of their program while they are completing the Specialization Courses. We recommend filling out the form as soon as you take the Generic Core Exam. Interns will be observed and evaluated by a NU supervisor over a 9-week period of time, 25 days of student contact and then 20 days for the second session. The NU supervisor typically completes 4 classroom observations during each session and one summative evaluation with your administrator on the Intern’s teaching performance. A site administrator will also complete observations and an evaluation of the Interns’ teaching performance.

Interns must sign up for and pay for EXC603A, Student Teaching Seminar.

District Intern Support Providers do not participate in any evaluation of the Interns performance, but may observe simultaneously with the NU supervisor.

□ Do interns need to complete a teaching experience in more than one setting like student teaching?

No, interns generally complete the program with only one classroom experience, as they should have the opportunity to work with a variety of ability levels in one class or the same group of students over the entire intern experience. An alternate experience may be built into the program to give interns experience with a variety of grades/ age levels.

Note: An intern serving in an approved Non-Public school may be required to complete a minimum of 2 weeks in a public school placement.

□ Does the NU Student Teaching Handbook and School Site Handbook apply to Interns?

Yes, daily student teaching responsibilities mean intern-teaching responsibilities. The Handbooks serve as the basis for supervising interns and evaluating effectiveness of intern teaching and student learning. An addendum to these documents will be included in intern materials.

□ Is an Internship Credential transferable to any school district in California?

No, the Internship Credential is valid in the original district of employment only.

□ If a candidate worked on an Internship Credential with another university, what will be required to enroll in the NU Internship Program?

Students must obtain a letter of good standing form the previous college or university and school district where they were employed on an Internship Credential and schedule an interview with Lead Faculty.

□ Will any coursework transfer if a student started a teacher education program at another university?

NU may accept up to three equivalent courses. See course equivalency requirements outlined in the University catalog.

□ What is the intern’s relationship with the school district?

Interns are salaried employees of the district they serve and time spent teaching on an Internship Credential counts toward tenure. The very nature of an internship program requires university /school district collaboration at every stage of the program. This includes placement of interns in teaching positions and evaluation of the internship assignments. Representatives of personnel (teacher bargaining unit) who hold the relevant credential and the partnership district and/ or county office of education participate in designing and coordinating the internship program and serve on an Internship advisory committee.

□ Can a candidate complete an Internship program in a private school?

Private schools are not legally eligible to participate in internship programs.

Non-public schools that have an internship contract with NU can participate.

□ Can a student also be involved in a Master’s degree program simultaneously?

The Master of Science Special Education is designed for students who are in the process of earning a credential as the core courses meet the requirements for a preliminary credential. Additional degree requirements should be completed following successful completion of the Internship program.

□ Are there additional requirements related to being recommended for the credential?

All Education Specialist Credential candidates, including interns, must schedule and pass the appropriate NU generic core and exit exam, plus pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) before they will be granted a credential.

CLAD students must verify the second language requirement; BCLAD students must have passed the oral interview and written exam.

□ What credential are candidates recommended for at the end of the Internship program?

Candidate are recommended for the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist.

In order to obtain a Professional Level II Education Specialist credential educators must complete required courses and activities as outlined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

Note: 150 clock hours of professional growth activities must be completed during each five-year credential renewal cycle after you get your Professional Level II Credential. A Professional Growth Manual will be sent to you with your credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

❑ Who can I contact for more information about the Internship Program with National University?

Contact the Special Education full time faculty member at your regional center or call:

Dr. Joan P. Sebastian

State Coordinator for Internship Programs

11255 North Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla, CA 92037

858-642-8006

jsebasti@nu.edu

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